Colleagues Say Goodbye to Hendrick Hudson Fixture Clare Carey

Colleagues from throughout the Hendrick Hudson School District poured into the high school auditorium on Thursday to say goodbye to Clare Carey, the beloved Director of Food Services who will retire effective Sept. 30, 2025.

Carey has been a fixture in Hendrick Hudson since she first attended Frank G. Lindsey Elementary School in 1969. She graduated from Hendrick Hudson High School in 1981 and went on to serve for 22 years as the Director of Food Services and for 12 years as Theater Director.

“This is my community,” Carey said. “It has been a phenomenal opportunity to be in my position to be able to help give back to the community I am from for all of these years.”

Carey’s legacy at her alma mater includes more than serving students and directing plays and musicals. She was intimately involved in a number of fundraising events, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. During an otherwise challenging year, she teamed with colleagues Kathy Beltran and Lauren Torres to serve as many as 1,000 meals a day to students and families in need.

At a time when many were isolated and some students were learning remotely, Carey became known for donning a costume for a Facebook Live video to share the next day’s menu.

“Our community was incredible during that time,” said Carey, noting meals were served for Thanksgiving, Christmas and other holidays. “We were fortunate to be able to take a bad situation, do something good, and try to make it more fun.”

In addition to her years of food service, Carey, who appeared in many theatrical productions as a student, directed plays and musicals for 12 years. She was honored in the Hendrick Hudson Music Hall of Fame’s inaugural class, which was inducted in May.

“It gave me such a great opportunity to work alongside the students,” said Carey, noting her appreciation for working alongside Chorus Director Erica Denler. “It was amazing to see the growth in the program. We did some really great shows and had a lot of really talented kids perform during that time.”

Carey’s going-away celebration was the vision of Denler, who took over the theater program last year after working for years as the Musical Director alongside Carey. She arranged for cake and other snacks and refreshments in Carey’s honor.

Several teachers and other staff members attended the gathering, including members of school and district administration.

“Thank you for your years of service to our school district,” Michael A. Tromblee, Hendrick Hudson’s Superintendent of Schools, told Carey during the celebration. “Words can’t possibly do justice to the impact you have had on our schools, our community and our students. You will always be a part of our community.”